The federal government will provide N3 billion each to all the states in the federation and the FCT to mitigate flooding which has ravaged farmlands and destroyed crops, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun has said.
He stated this Sunday in Birnin Kebbi after inspecting areas destroyed by flooding in Argungu and Birnin Kebbi local government Areas in Kebbi state.
He was in Kabbi in company of the Minister for Budget and Economic Development, Sen. Atiku Abubakar Bagudu and Kebbi governor, Nasir Idris.
“The visit has afforded me an opportunity to ascertain first hand, the magnitude of the disaster and see the resilience of the people of the state.
“I thank the governor of Kebbi state for taking me round to see the situation. I have visited large farms and rice mills with mega tonnes milling production, which has been supporting women secondary rice millers to encourage local economic growth.
“The National Economic Council has been taking positive action to support all states and the FCT with N3 billion, while President Tinubu has been pushing hard to ensure the country is more secure and he encourages investors that would create employment.
“That’s what we’ve seen in Kebbi state, Governor Idris has been providing the desired support to the people of the state, particularly farmers to maximize yields,” Mr. Edun said.
Senator Bagudu said in addition to the intervention fund, the federal government has approved Renewed Hope Infrastructure Fund for the funding of the Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway of which Kebbi state has the largest stretch of the road.
“Irrigation and dams are part of the Infrastructure Fund and irrigation facilities will be stretched along the super highway and other parts of the country for national development.
“We appreciate the Minister for Finance for his visit and mitigating action and we appreciate Nigerians for their resilience in the face of natural disasters, especially the present flooding.
“President Tinubu has strengthened support and encouragement to bringing out the potentials of Nigerians,” Bagudu said.
Governor Idris expressed appreciation to the two ministers for the sympathy visit and called for immediate intervention by the federal government to provide succour to victims of the flooding to recoup losses and re cultivate their farmlands.